Delivery mechanism for printing-presses.



I R. A. FREEMAN. DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR PRINT ING PRESSES. APPLIOATIONFILED OCT. 14, 1901. RENEWED OUT. 12, 1910. 993, 1 2, Patented May 23,1911.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

4 HHHI H ATTORNEY 1n! NORRIS I-BTIR: ca, WAJHINOYUN. D. c.

R. A. FREEMAN. DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PBESSBB. urmou'zon rum)00T.14, 1501. nnnnwnn 001212, 1910.

993,162. Patented May 23, 1911.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES INVENTOR ATTORNEY m: nomus urlu co.. waanmarolv. n. c.

R. A. FREEMAN. DELIVERY MEUHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES. APPLIGATIONFILED OUT- 14, 1901. RENEWED OUT. 12. 1910- 993,162. Patented May23,1911.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

ATTORNEY nn' new": Psruu ca, WASHINGTON, n. c.

MZMW

Day/5M??? R. A. FREEMAN. DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES.APPLICATION FILED OUT. 1%, 1901. RENEWED 0OT|12, 1910.

Patented May 23, 1911.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

WITNESSES:

INVEN 0R %%im M I 7 w ATTORNEY THE NORRIS PETERS :1, WASHINGTON, 11.x:v

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RUFUS A. FREEMAN, OF FLUSHING, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE AUTOPRESSCOMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR PRINTING-PRESSES' Application filed October 14,1901, Serial No. 78,551.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Burns A. FREEMAN, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Flushing, in the county of Queens and State of NewYork, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in DeliveryMechanism for Printing-Presses, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to a delivery mechanism for printing presses, orthe like, and more particularly to that class of deliveries by whichsheets of paper, or similar material, are delivered in a flat orunfolded condition in a uniform pile.

Heretofore, in deliveries of the class referred to, it has been thecommon practice to convey the printed sheets from the press to the topof the pile without providing for any substantial interval to give theink time to set or become partly dry. When the sheets are once in thepile the air between them is soon forced out by the weight of thesuperimposed sheets and the drying of the ink is thus prevented orgreatly retarded. Then, as the pressure between the sheets increases dueto the increase in the pile, there is a tendency for a part of the inkto be transferred or offset onto the adjacent sheets. The mostdifficulty is experienced from this form of offset with the finer gradesof printing, and especially with out work, and multi-color work, and allwork done on coated or glazed paper. WVith these classes of work caremust be taken not to let the piles of printed sheets become too largeand it is often necessary to insert plain sheets of unglazed paper knownas slip sheets between the printed sheets to prevent off-set. In anyevent much labor and a considerable waste of stock is involved in therepeated handling of the paper. A large amount of room is required also,and much time is wasted due to frequent stoppages of the presses.

My invention has for an object to overcome the above mentioneddifficulties, the invention being to this end more particularlyaddressed to the provision of a mechanism of the class referred towhereby the sheets as they come from the press are kept in a separatedcondition, either singly or in lots of two or more, for a length of timesufficient to let the ink or other substance Specification of LettersPatent.

Patented May 23, 1911.

Renewed October 12, 1910. Serial No. 586,790.

thereon set or become partly dry so that it Wlll not be offset ontoadjacent sheets by the pressure of the pile; also to the provision of amechanism whereby the sheets when so dried are automatically piled inregular order in a uniform and continuously increasing pile so as toavoid the constant care of an attendant and frequent stoppages of thepress to remove the printed paper.

It is also a primary object of my invention to provide a mechanism ofthe character described which is self contained and automatic andreliable in operation, and which may be connected to various styles andmakes of presses and does not occupy an undue amount of floor space.

These and other objects of my invention will more fully appear from thefollowing description.

-My inventlon consists 1n the novel parts, improvements and combinationsherein the direction of the arrows; Fig. 2 is an end elevation of thesame as seen from the left Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view takenon the line 3-3 Fig. 2; Fig. 1 is a sectional view on an enlarged scaleshowing a detail; Fig. 5 is an end view of the same; Figs. 6 and 7 areviews similar to those in Figs. 4 and 5 showing another detail; Fig. 8is a plan view partly in section illustrating a modification; Figs. 9and 10 are an end view and a section respectively illustrating a detail; Figs. 11, 12, 13, 1 1 and 15 are side views illustrating variousdetails; and Fig. 16 is a sectional view illustrating a modification ofone feature of the invention.

In accordance with my invention means are provided for conveying thesheets from a printing press or the like, a series of sheet supports arearranged to receive the sheets from the conveyer, means are provided foroperating the sheet supports so that the sheets received at one end ofthe series are discharged at the other end thereof, and means areprovided for receiving the sheets as they are discharged from the sheetsupports.

In accordance with the best embodiment of my invention each of the sheetsupports is made expansible and contractible and when in operation thesheet supports are alternately expanded and contracted so that thesheets received at one end of the series are discharged at the other endthereof. It is preferable also that the sheet supports are so operatedthat the sheets are transferred from one support to another throughoutthe series; also that the sheet supports are made flexible and are fixedat one end and connected to suitably operated rollers at the other end;also that the sheet supports are arranged in a double series oppositelydisposed. with relation to each other and so operated that the sheetsare alternately transferred from one series to the other and thusadvanced from one support to the next in each series; also that themeans foroperating the sheet supports are so constructed that the sheetsare kept in a separated con dit-ion either singly or in lots of two ormore sheets; also that the conveyer for conveying the sheets from thepress includes means for depositing the sheets one by one upon theseries of supports; also that the sheet conveyer includes. areciprocating sheet dropping mechanism which constitutes the means foroperating the series of sheet supports; also that means are provided foreither continuously operating the sheet supports with the conveyermechanism or for operating the sheet supports on every second or otherpredetermined number of operations of the conveyer mechanism; also thatthe means for receiving the sheets from the sheet supports areconstructed to automatically pile the sheets in a continuouslyincreasing pile.

In accordance with the particular embodiment of the invention shown thedelivery mechanism is mounted in a frame which is separate from andindependent of the main frame of the press so that the deliverymechanism may be used with various kinds and makes of printing pressesor other sheet manipulating machines. The machine shown is particularlydesigned to be used in connection with a bed and cylinder printing presshaving what is known in the art as a front delivery.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the frame of the machine shownconsists of a pair of side frames 1 and 2 which are-connected togetherby suitable cross girders 3, 4 and 5. This frame is located at thedelivery end of the press and is constructed to support the variousparts of the mechanism so as to form a unitary self contained structureindependent of the press structure and connected therewith only bysuitable driving mechanism and means. for transferring the printedsheets from one structure'to the other.

Any suitable form of mechanism may be used for transferring or conveyingthe printed sheets from the press to the delivery mechanism anddepositing them one by one on the series of sheet supports. As shownthis mechanism, herein termed the conveyer mechanism, comprises a set oftapes 6 a flexible expanding and contracting support 7 and a pair ofnipping rollers 8 and 9. One end of the flexible support 7 is fixed tothe frame as by being clamped to the girder 5 and the other end issecured to a roller 10, which, together with the rollers 8 and 9, isjournaled in a carriage arranged to reciprocate back and forth from oneend of the frame to the other. As shown this carriage consists of a pairof frame pieces 11 and 12 constructed to slide on the upper surfaces ofthe racks 18 and 14 which are bolted to the upper ends of the sideframes 1 and 2. The frame pieces 11 and 12 are connected and caused toreciprocate in unison by means of a shaft 15 which is journaled in theframe pieces and is provided at or near its opposite ends with pinions16 and 17 adapted to mesh with theracks 18 and 14 respectively.

The carriage may be caused to reciprocate by any suitable means.Preferably and as shown the shaft 15 is provided at one end with apinion 18 which is preferably somewhat less than half the diameter ofthe pinions 16 and 17 and is engaged by a short rack 19 which is mountedto slide on a suitable guide 20 carried by the side frame 1 above thepinion 18. A movement of the rack 19 through a certain distance willcause a movement of the carriage in the same direction somewhat lessthan twice that distance depending on the proportion between the pinions16 and 18, the proportions between the relative movements and thediameters of the pinions varying inversely to each other.

The rack 19 may be reciprocated by any suitable means. Preferably it ismade double the width of the pinion and is en gaged at the outer part bya gear segment 21 which. is pivoted on a stud 22 and is connected by alink 23 with a crank 24 carried by one end of the main shaft 25, which,as shown is journaled in the lower partof the frame and at the endthereof to be arranged adjacent to the press. The shaft 25 may bedriven'from a suitable part of the press by any suitable means as bybevel gears one element of which is shown at 26.

In some of its broader aspects my invention is not limited to anyparticular construction of the sheet supports. Preferably,

however, they should be expansible and contractible, so that they may beoperated to receive the sheets at one end of the series, convey themthrough the series, and discharge them at the other end withoutoccupy'ing a space materially greater in longitudinal and lateraldimensions than the dimensions of the largest sheet which the machine isdesigned to handle.

In accordance with the construction shown, the sheet supports areflexible and are fixed at one end to the frame of the machine and areconnected at the other end to rollers which may be reciprocated back andforth fro-1n one end of the machine to the other. Preferably and asshown moreover, the sheet supports are arranged in a double series, thesupports 27 of one series being fixed "at one end to one end of theframe and secured at the other end to a set of rollers 28, and thesupports 29 of the other series being fixed at one end to the oppositeend of the frame and at the other end to a set of rollers 30. The setsof rollers 23 and 30 are preferably mounted in a single carriage andhave a fixed staggered relation to each other, so that as the car riageis reciprocated and the flexible sup- "ports are alternately wound upand unwound on the sets of rollers 28 and 30, the sheets are alternatelytransferred from one series of supports to the other, each sheet being,by the continual reciprocation of the carriage transferred from onesupportto the next throughout each series and finally discharged at theend of the series opposite to that at which it was received.

The carriage in which the rollers 28 and .30 are mounted consists of apair of side pieces 31 and 32 which are connected together by a suitablenumber of rods 33. This carriage is preferably supported by a pair ofwheels 34 which are mounted on the opposite ends of a shaft 35 journalcdin the lower ends of the side pieces 31 and 32, and rest upon suitabletrack bars 36, said track bars being mounted upon longitudinal brackets37 formed on the inner surfaces of the side frames 1 and 2. For thepurpose of causing the opposite ends of the carriage to travel inunlson, pinions 38 of equal diameter are fixed to the shaft 35 adjacentto the wheels 34 and mesh with longitudinal racks 39 carried by thebrackets 37.

The carriage for the sheet supports may be reciprocated by any suitablemechanism either in unison with the conveyer carriage or at some slowerrate so that two or more. sheets may be deposited on the top sheetsupport between each transferring operation of the sheet supports.Preferably and as shown, the carriage for the sheet supports isconnected to and operated by the sheet conveyer carriage, theconnections between said carriages preferably being disconnectible andconstructed to be automatically engaged at predetermined intervals, eachengagement beingmaintained during a complete reciprocation of theconveyer carriage. During the intermediate reciprocations of theconveyer carriage the connections between the carriages are disengaged,the carriage for the sheet supports being locked in a fixed positionduring these intervals. WVith this object in view the side pieces 31 and32 are arranged in line with the frame pieces 11 and 12 and terminate attheir upper ends just below the lower ends of said frame pieces andmeans are provided for alternately connecting each of the side pieces 31and 32 to the corresponding frame pieces 11 and 12 and to the frame ofthe machine. The connections shown each consists of a slide piece 41-0,which is mounted in 'a slide way 411 formed on the side piece 31 or 32,and is provided at its upper end with a downwardly opening recessadapted to engage a stud 42 on one of the frame pieces 11 and 12, and onthe other side with an upwardly opening recess adapted to engage a stud43 carried by the main frame. The studs 42 and 453 are so located thatwhen the slide 10 is at one limit of its movement, one stud is engagedand the other is disengaged and when the slide is at the other limit ofits movement the engagement and disengagement of the studs is reversed.Inclined surfaces 42 and 43 are formed on the slide 40 in advance of therecesses to facilitate the entrance of the studs. The carriage for thesheet supports being connected to its operating means at the upper end,suitable means should be provided to cause the lower end to move inunison with the upper end. The means shown consists of a vertical shaft31 which is journaled in brackets formed on the side piece 31 and isprovided at its opposite ends with pinions 31 which are equal indiameter and mesh with racks 31 fixed on the main frame. This mechanismmay obviously be duplicated on the opposite side of the machine ifdesired.

The movements of the slide 40 may be automatically controlled by anysuitable mechanism. As shown the slides 40 are extended to the lower endof the carriage for the sheetsupports, and are provided at theirextremitieswith anti friction rollers adapted to engage the uppersurfaces of a pair of arms 4. and 45 carried by a transverse rock shaft46. Guides 47 for the lower ends of the slides are provided on the sidepieces 31 and 32. The arms 14 and 45 may be moved up and down to controlthe operation of the slides 40 by any suitable means. As shown the arm44 is provided with a stud roller 47 which is adapted to engage theperiphery bracket 50 fixed to the inner side of the side frame 1. Fixedto one side of the cam disk is a ratchet wheel 52 which is engaged by apawl 52 pivoted to an arm 53 carried by a rock shaft 54. The rock shaftis operated so as to move the cam 48 through the space of one of theratchet teeth during each operation of the machine by a cam 55 which ismounted on the shaft and is operatively connected to the rock shaft 54by the arm 56 and the link 57 said link being slotted at its lower endto embrace the shaft 25 and provided with a pair of stud rollers 58which embrace the cam 55. The cam 55 is preferably so shaped and timedthat the disk 48 is moved at some time when the conveyer carriage is notat the inner end of its stroke. It follows from this construction thatwhen the disk 48 has been so moved that the stud roller 47 drops into arecess 51 the slides are lowered out of engagement with the frame studs43 and into position to be engaged by the carriage studs 42 at the endof the inner stroke of the conveyer carriage, the latter operation beingfacilitated by the inclined surface 42 which rides up on the stud 42 andthus raises the slide 40 and allows it to drop back under the influenceof gravity with the stud 42 in its recess. I This operation may be mademore certain if desired by providing a spring 59 which is so connectedto the slide 40 as to supplement the force of gravity. Then the disk 48is so operated that the stud roller 47 is forced out of the recess51'the friction rollers at the lower ends of the slides 40 will, uponthe inward movement of the carriage for the sheet supports, ride up onthe surface of the arms 44 and and move the slides 40 so as to disengagethe studs 42 and come into engagement with the studs 43. The latteroperation is facilitated by so mounting the studs 43 that they can yieldunder the upward pressure of the inclined surface 43 and then, at theend of the stroke of the carriages, snap into the upwardly openingrecesses in the slides 40. As shown the studs 43 are mounted on one endof the levers 60 which are pivoted at an intermediate point to thegirder5 and are connected at their other ends to tension spring 61.

It will be seen that by providing a recess 51 in the disk 48 for everysecond, third or other desirable number of the teeth of the ratchetwheel 52 the carriage for the sheet supports will be operated once forevery corresponding number of operations of the machine. As many asdesired of the disks 48 having different numbers of recesses 51 may beprovided. Two of these disks 48 and 48 are shown, see Figs. 1, 12 and15, each being provided with a ratchet wheel 52 having ten teeth. Thedisk 48 has five recesses 51 and the, disk 48 -has one recess. In orderto further vary the operation of the mechasupports.

nism the movement of either disk maybe periodically interrupted by anysuitable means. A convenient means for this purpose consists of an idleratchet which is larger in diameter than the ratchet wheel 52 and isloosely mounted on the stud 49 so that it may engage the pawl 52 and normally hold it out of engagement with the ratchet 52. Two adjacent teethof the ratchet 65 are made deeper than the ordinary teeth so that whenthey are engaged by the pawl 52 the latter is permitted to drop intoengagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 52, the teeth of theratchet wheels and the recesses oflthe disk being so arranged withrelation to each other that whenever a recess 51 is brought intooperation it is moved into engagement with the stud roller 47 on thefirst movement of the ratchet 52 and is moved out of engagement with thestud roller 47 on the second movement of the ratchet 52. More than oneset of deep teeth 66 and 67 may be formed in the idle ratchet 65. Andmore than one of these ratchets may be provided if desired. The ratchet65shown in Fig. 13 is provided with two sets of deep teeth. In Fig. 14is shownan idle ratchet 65 with one set of deep teeth 66 and 67. Itfollows from this construction that the sheet supports may, as bythrowing the pawl 52 out of operation, be continuously reciprocated withthe conveyer carriage so as to keep each sheet separate from the othersduring its passage through the machine; or, by using the disk 48, thesheet supports may be operated on every second operation of the machineso that the sheets are conveyed through the machine in pairs; or, byusing the idle ratchet 65 in connection with the disk 48, the sheets maybe conveyed through the machine in lots of five; or, by using the disk48 the sheets may be conveyed through the machine in lots of ten; or, byusing the idle ratchet 65 in connection with disk 48 the sheets may beconveyed through the ma chine in lots of twentyfive; or, by using theidle ratchet 65 in connection with the disk 48, the sheets may beconveyed through the machine in lots of fifty. Obviously, by suitablyconstructing and combining the ratchet wheels and disks, the paper maybe conveyed through the apparatus in lots having any desired number ofsheets.

As the sheets are discharged from the lowermost sheet support they aredeposited on a receiving table 70 located below the series of In orderthat the table 70 may be lowered as the pile increases thereon itssupporting frame 71 is provided atthe sides of the machine with nutsadapted to engage screw threaded shafts 7 2 which are suitably journaledin upright positions on the side frames 1 and 2. The shafts 72 may beoperated in any suitable way to automatically lower the table as thepile increases. The means shown consist of worm wheels 73 fixed to thelower ends of the shafts 72 and engaged by worms 74 carried by atransverse shaft 75. The shaft 75 is provided with a ratchet wheel 76which is operated by a pawl arm 77 pivoted on the shaft and connected atits free end to the link 78 having a shoulder on its under surfaceadapted to be engaged by the shouldered cam 79 carried by the shaft 25.

In order that the link 78 may be automatically moved out of the path ofthe cam 79 when the pile of paper on the table 70 is too low thefollowing mechanism is used: A finger or feeler 80 is arranged at theforward end of the pile, said finger being fixed to a transverse shaft81 journaled in the side frames. Near one end of the shaft 81 is fixedan arm 82 which is connected by a link 83 to one arm of a bell cranklever 84 pivoted at the rear end of the machine and connected by itsother arm to a link 85. The link 85 is provided at its lower end with apin 86 adapted to engage the under surface of the link 78, the link 85being guided at its lower end by a bracket 88. A compression spring 89is confined between the top of the bracket 88 and a collar 90 on thelink 85 and thus tends to keep the finger 80 in contact with the top ofthe pile and the link 78 out of engagement with the cam 79 when the pileis low. A spring 91 is provided to return the link 78 and pawl arm 77after each operation. For the purpose of i lifting the finger 80 fromthe top of the pile to permit the sheets to be deposited thereon therock shaft 54: is provided with an arm 92 which is arranged to engagethe end of the link 83 in such manner as to lift the finger on eachoscillation of the shaft 54. A slot 93 is provided in the link 83 topermit the necessary play due to the variable height of the pile. Itfollows from this construction that whenever the top of the pile getstoo low the link 78 will be lifted out of the path of the cam 79 and thelowering mechanism for the table will be thrown out of operation. Assoon, however, as the pile increases to its normal height the loweringmechanism for the table will be again brought into operation.

It is in accordance with my invention that suitable means are providedfor accurately adjusting the sheets or the lots of sheets as they aredeposited on the pile. The means shown comprises a series of verticalfingers 95 which are normally located in a fixed position at the top ofthe front of the pile. In order that these fingers may be removed sothat the pile can be removed from the front of the machine, the fingers95 are mounted on a transverse shaft 96 adjustably secured in the sideframes 1 and 2. The shaft 96 may be held in either of its two positionsby any suitable securing and adjusting means. The means shown, see Fig.3, consists of an arm 97 secured to one end of the shaft and provided atits free end with a pin 98 which may be inserted in either of twosuitably located perforations in the frame.

For the purpose of keeping the sheets in contact with the lingers 95 andadjusting the sheets laterally, movable sheet adjusting guides orjoggers are provided for the rear and the two sides of the pile. Anysuitable means may be provided for operating the joggers. In accordancewith the construction shown, see Figs. 3 and 11, each of the sidejoggers 100 is connected by a pair of adjustable arms to one member of apair of bell crank levers 101 and 102. The adjustable arms each comprisea pair of links 103 and 104, which are adjustably connected to thejogger plates and to each other by rigid joints held in place by thumbscrews 105. The links 103 are loosely pivoted to the bell crank levers101, the jogger plate 100 together with the adjustable links thusconstituting practically a rigid link between two members of the bellcrank levers 101 and 102, the other two members of which are directlyconnected by a rigid link 106. It will thus be seen that the joggerplate when once adjusted will always remain parallel to itselfthroughout the entire range of the movement of the bell crank leversfrom the position shown in full lines in Fig. 3 to the position shown indotted lines. In order to vibrate the jogger plate 100 it is onlynecessary to operate one of the bell crank levers. As shown this is doneby an arm 107 which is fixed to the rock shaft 54: and connected to thebell crank lever 101 by a link 108 and a crank arm 109. In order thatthe jogger plate may be quickly and accurately adjusted through alimited range without disturbing the links 103 and 104, the arm 109 isadjustably clamped by a clamp screw 110 to a sleeve 111 which forms apart of the bell crank lever 101. The jogger plate 100 is entirelysupported by the bell cranks 101 and 102 which are in turn supported onstud bolts 112 fixed to the bracket 37 of the side frame 1 and passingthrough sleeves 111.

The mechanism for operating the jogger plate 100 is alike on both sidesof the ma chine. The jogger for the rear of the pile is preferablyconnected to and operated by the links 108. With this object in viewlinks 108 are guided at their outer ends in brackets 113 projecting fromthe brackets 37, and said links are connected to the arms 109 by blocks114' having downwardly projecting pins 115 which engage radial slots insaid arms.

The rear jogger consists of a plate 116 which is adjustably connectedwith the transverse bar 117 by links 118 and 119, said bar 118 beingadjustably secured to the links 108 as shown. It will be seen from thisconstruction that the jogger plates are en tirely independent of thereceiving board and that they may be readily adjusted through a widerange without interfering with other parts of the mechanism.

The rollers 28 and 30 upon which the sheet supports 27 and 29respectively are alternately wound and unwound may be of any'suitableconstruction and they may be operated in any suitable way to wind up thesheet supports when they are traveling toward the fixed ends of saidsupports. Preferably said rollers consist, see Fig. 6 of plain steeltubes of a suitable diameter into each end of which is pressed anannular cup 125 in which a series of antifriction balls 126 are retainedby the inner lip 127 and the outer ring 128, said parts being fixed inthe end of the tube by a groove 129 and a flange 130. The rollers aresupported in operative position by screw studs 131 held in place in theside pieces 31 and 32 by jam nuts 132,

said studs having conical ends 133 adapted to engage the anti-frictionballs.

As one of the sets of rollers are being wound up while the other set arebeing unwound the sets of rollers are preferably so connected that thepower derived from un winding one set is utilized to wind up the otherset. Any suitable connection between the sets of rollers may be used forthis purpose. As shown each roller of each set is paired with a rollerof the other set, and each of the pairs of rollers are connected by abelt or ligament which will cause either roller to wind up while theother is unwinding. In order that the surface speed of the flexiblesupports as they wind up and unwind on the pairs of rollers may be keptuniform, the pairs of rollers are provided at or near one or both endswith oppositely tapering cones which correspond in diameter at theirlarger and smaller ends to the larger and smaller diameters of thesheetsupports when rolled up and unrolled on the core rollers. The cones134 and 135 are preferably provided with spiral grooves and areconnected by a cord or ligament 136 having its ends secured to the conesso that when at either end of the stroke the liga ment is wound. up fromthe larger end to the smaller end on the cone carried by the roller fromwhich the sheet support is unwound and is unwound from the cone carriedby the other roller. It will be seen that the pair of rollers will thusalways be con-- nected by the ligamenton diameters corresponding to thediameters of the rolls of the flexible material so that there will be noslack in the latter at any part of the reciprocation of the carriage.Obviously a band would as thus far described answer the same purpose asthe ligament, but the latter preferred for the reason that there can beno slippage which would cause a slack in the the cone pieces beingprovided with center holes which are engaged by the pivot studs 131. Thecones obviously may be used at one end only of the tubes if desired. Itwill be seen that when the cones are used at both ends of the tubes allthe rollers may be identical, it only being necessary to arrange therollers of each pair reversely with relation to each other. The fixedend of each sheet support is preferably secured to an angle bar 143extending transversely of the machine and secured at its ends to theside frames 1 and 2, as in this way the sheet supports are ac cessiblefrom the ends of the machine and the sheets may be removed and replacedwhen desired. The inner ends of the sheet supports, which supports maybe form-ed of muslin or other suitable fabric, or of a series of tapesor strips of suitable fabric,

edges of the sheets in the same vertical plane as the guide fingers 95,and for the further purpose of throwing the front edges of the sheetsoff from the rollers 30 when at the outer limit of their stroke, eachsheet support 29 of the front series is provided with a front gage 145located in the plane of the guide fingers 95. As shown, each gage 145consists of a series of pins carried by a transverse bar 146. The pinsare passed through the fabric from below, and the bars are secured attheir ends to the sheet supports by any suitable means, as by small studbolts and nuts 147. At the limit of the forward stroke of the rollers 30the gages 145 are carried far enough around them to make certain thatthe front edges of the sheets are thrown down onto the supports below.The bars 146 are preferably curved somewhat to stiffen them and makethem conform to the shape of the rollers when wound thereon. To keep thesheets against the gages 145, the supports 27 and 29 may be inclinedtoward the stops, as shown.

The nipping rollers 8 and 9 are provided principally to grip the forwardedges of the sheets and carry them out to the end of the stroke of theconveyer carriage, said rollers being separated on the return stroke ofthecarriage to allow the sheets to be dropped by the rolling up of theflexible support 7. These rollers may be operated by any suitable means.As shown, see Figs. 4 and 5, the upper roller 8 is mounted in boxes 150yieldingly supported under springs 151 in slideways formed in the framepieces 11 and 12. The shafts of the rollers 8 and 9 are connected bytoggles 152 which are operated at the opposite ends of the stroke of theconveyer carriage to separate the rollers and bring them together bysuitable fixed stops 153 and 154. For the purpose of causing the rollersto nip the forward edges of the sheets a spring 155 is connected at oneend to a stud 156 fixed to the frame 11 and at the other end to a stud157 carried by the roller 8. A fixed stop 158 is arranged at the innerend of the machine to strike the stud 157 at the end of the inwardstroke of the carriage and turn the roller 8 a small part of arevolution thus putting the spring 155 under tension. lVhile thecarriage is at this end of its stroke, the forward edge of the sheet isdriven into the bite of rollers 8 and 9 by the tapes 6 and as thecarriage starts forward the spring 155 will turn the rollers slightlyand thus cause them to nip the sheet and carry them forward. It will beseen that the rollers act as a gage to straighten up the sheets as wellas nippers to carry them forward. The stop 158 is for conveniencecarried by the stop 15 1.

Where the delivery mechanism is to be used in connection with a rotaryor other press which delivers the printed sheets at a rapid rate, theconveyer mechanism is preferably constructed to deposit a plurality ofsheets on the sheet supports on every reciprocation of the conveyorcarriage. ne embodiment of this feature of my invention is illustratedin Fig. 16. As here shown the sheets conveyed from the press by thetapes 160 are alternately directed onto the slower running tapes 161 and162 by the switch 16?) which to this end is moved above and below thesurface of the tapes 160 at the required that the sheets may beaccurately timed with relation to the movement of the carriage 165, stopgages 172 and 173 are preferably located at the forward ends of thetapes 161 and 162, said gages being lifted as the car riage approachesthe inner limit of its stroke by any sultable means, as by a lever 174one arm of which is connected to the the machine having been fullydescribed in connection with the construction thereof furtherdescription of the operation will be unnecessary.

My invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the preciseconstruction shown and described nor to the particular construction bywhich it may be carried into effect as many changes other than thoseherein suggested may be .made in the construction without departing fromthe main principles of the invention or sacrificing its chiefadvantages.

lVhat I claim is:

1. In a delivery mechanism, the combination with means for conveyingsheets from a printing press or the like, of a series of sheet supportsarranged to receive the sheets from the conveyer and to operate inplanes one above another, means for operating the sheet supports so thatthe sheets received at one end of the series are transferred in adirection transverse to their planes and without movement in thoseplanes to the other end thereof and discharged, and means for receivingthe sheets as they are discharged.

2. In a delivery mechanism the combination with means for conveyingsheets from a printing press or the like, of a series of expansible andcontractible sheet supports arranged to receive the sheets from theconveyer, means for operating the sheet supports so that the sheets asreceived at one end of the series are kept separated and are dischargedat the other end thereof, and means for receiving the sheets as they aredischarged.

3. In a delivery mechanism the combina tion with means for conveyingsheets from a pansible and contractible sheet supports arranged toreceive the sheets from the con veyer, means for expanding andcontracting said supports so that the sheets as received at one end ofthe series are kept separated and are discharged at the other endthereof, and means for receiving the sheets as they are discharged.

1. In a delivery mechanism the combination with means for conveyingsheets from a printing press or the like, of a series of ex pansible andcontractible sheet supports arranged to receive the sheets from theconveyer, means for expanding and contracting said supports so that thesheets as received at one end of the series are kept separated and aretransferred from one support to another and discharged at the other endof the series, and means for receiving the sheets as they aredischarged.

5. In a delivery mechanism the combination with means for conveyingsheets from a printing press or the like, of a series of expansible andcontractible sheet supports arranged to receive the sheets from theconveyer and to support a number of them each separately, means wherebythe support at one end of the series is expanded to receive a sheet, theintermediate supports caused to transfer the sheet from one end of theseries to the other end thereof, and the support at the latter end ofthe series contracted to discharge the sheet, and means for receivingthe sheet as it is discharged.

6. In a delivery mechanism the combination with means for conveyingsheets from a printing press or the like, of a series of expansible andcontractible sheet supports arranged to receive the sheets from theconveyer and to support a number of them each separately, means wherebythe support at one end of the series is expanded to receive a sheet, theintermediate supports caused to transfer the sheet from one support toanother throughout the series, and the support at the latter end of theseries contracted to discharge the sheet, and means for receiving thesheet as it is discharged.

7 In a delivery mechanism, the combination with means for conveyingsheets from a printing press or the like, of a series of flexible sheetsupports arranged to receive the sheets from the eonveyer, means foroperating the sheet supports so that the sheets re ceived at one end ofthe series are transferred in a direction at right angles to theirplanes and without movement in those planes to the other end of theseries and discharged, and means for receiving the sheets as they aredischarged.

8. In a delivery mechanism the combination with means for conveyingsheets from a printing press or the like, of a series of flexible sheetsupports arranged to receive the sheets from the conveyer, a series ofrollers, each of said supports being fixed at one end and connected to aroller at the other end, means for operating the rollers so that thesheets as received at one end of the series are kept separated and aredischarged at the other end thereof, and means for receiving the sheetsas they are discharged.

9. In a delivery mechanism the combina tion with means for conveyingsheets from a printing press or the like, of a series of flexible sheetsupports arranged to receive the sheets from the conveyor, a series ofrollers, each of said supports being fixed at one end and connected to aroller at the other end, means for operating the rollers so that thesheets as received at one end of the series are transferred from onesupport to another throughout the series and discharged at the other endthereof, and means for receiving the sheets as they are dis charged.

10. In a delivery mechanism, the combination with means for conveyingsheets from a printing press or the like, of a pair of oppositelyarranged sheet supports movable in planes one above another, and meansfor operating the sheet supports so that the sheets received by onesupport are transtransferred to said other support and dis' ch arge d.

12. In a delivery mechanism, the combination with means for conveyingsheets from a printing press or the like, of a pair of oppositelyarranged expansible and contractible sheet supports movable in planesone above another, and means for alternately expanding and contractingthe sheet supports so that the sheets received by one support are by thecontraction of one support and the expansion of the other transferred tosaid other support and discharged.

13. In a delivery mechanism, the combination with means for conveyingsheets from a printing press or the like, of two series of oppositelyarranged sheet supports, means for operating the sheet supports so thatthe sheets received at one end of one series are without movement intheir planes alternately transferred from one series to the other andadvanced from one support to another throughout each series and finallydischarged, and means for receiving the sheets as they are discharged.

14. In a delivery mechanism the combination wit h'means for conveyingsheets from a printing press or the like, of two seriesof oppositelyarranged expansible and contractible sheet supports, means foralternately expanding and contracting the sheet supports so that thesheets received at one end of one series are alternately transferredfrom one series to the other and advanced from one support to anotherthroughout each series and finally discharged, and means for receivingthe sheets as they are discharged.

15. In a delivery mechanism the combination with means for conveyingsheets from a printing press or the like, of two series of oppositelyarranged flexible sheet supports,

the supports forming one series being fixed at one end to one end of themachine and connected at the other end to a set of rollers, a series ofrollers and the supports forming the other series being fixed at one endto the opposite end of the machine and connected at the other end to asecond set of rollers, a second series of rollers, a carriage in whichboth said sets of rollers are mounted, and means for reciprocating saidcarriage, whereby the sheets received at one end of one series arealternately transferred from oneseries to the other and advanced fromone support to another throughout each series and finally discharged,and means for receiving the sheets as they are discharged.

16. In a delivery mechanism the combination with means for conveyingsheets from a printing press or the like, of two series of oppositelyarranged flexible sheet supports, the supports forming one series beingfixed at one end to one end of the machine and connected at the otherend to a set of rollers, a series of rollers, and the supports formingthe other series being fixed at one end to the opposite end of themachine and connected at the other end to a second set of rollers, asecond series of rollers, a carriage in which both said sets of rollersare mounted adjacent to each other with the rollers of each set oppositethe spaces between the rollers of the other set, and means forreciprocating said carriage, substantially as described.

17. In a delivery mechanism the combination with means for conveyingsheets from a printing press or the like including a reciprocatingconveyer carriage, of a series of sheet supports arranged to receive thesheets from the conveyer carriage, means for operating the sheetsupports in unison with the conveyer carriage so that the sheets asreceived at one end of the series are kept separated and are dischargedat the other end thereof, and means for receiving the sheets as they aredischarged.

18. In a delivery mechanism,the combination with means for conveyingsheets from a printing press or the like including a reciprocatingconveyer carriage, of a series of expansible and contractible sheetsupports arranged to receive the sheets from the conveyer carriage,means operated in unison with the conveyer carriage for expanding andcontracting said support to cause them to receive sheets at one end ofthe series, convey the sheets as received from one end of the series tothe other end thereof, and to discharge the sheets at the other end ofthe series, and means for receiv ng the sheets as they are discharged.

19. In a delivery mechanism the combination with means for conveyingsheets from a printing press or the like including a reciprocatmgconveyer carrlage, of a pa1r of oppositely arranged sheet supports, andmeans for operating the sheet supports in unison with the conveyercarriage so that the sheets received by one support are transferredduring the operation of the conveyer carriage .to the other support.

throughout each series and finally discharged, and means for receivingthe sheets as they are discharged.

21. In a delivery mechanism the combination with means for conveyingsheets from a printing press or the like including a reciprocatingconveyer carriage, of two series of oppositely arranged flexible sheetsupports, the supports forming one series being fixed at one end to oneend of the machine and connected at the other end to a set of rollers, aseries of rollers, and the supports forming the other series being fixedat one end to the opposite end of the machine and connected at the otherend to a second set of rollers, a second series of rollers, a carriagein which both sets of rollers are mounted, and means for reciprocatingsaid carriage in unison with said conveyer carriage, whereby the sheetsreceived at one end of one series are alternately transferred from oneseries to the other and advanced from one support to another throughouteach series and finally discharged, and means for receiving the sheetsas they are discharged.

22. In a delivery mechanism the combination with means for conveyingsheets from a printing press or the like, of two series of oppositelyarranged flexible sheet supports, the supports forming one series beingfixed at one end to one end of the machine and connected at the otherend to a set of rollers, a series of rollers, and the supports formingthe other series being fixed at one end to the opposite end of themachine and connected at the other end to a second set of rollers, asecond series of rollers, a carriage in which both said sets of rollersare mounted, and means for reciprocating said carriage, said sets ofrollers being so connected that the unwinding of one set of supports iscaused to wind up the other set.

23. In a delivery mechanism the combina tion with means for conveyinsheets from a printing press or the like, of two series of oppositelyarranged flexible sheet supports, the supports forming one series beingfixed at one end to one end of the machine and connected at the otherend to a'set of rollers, and the supports forming the other series beingfixed at one end to the opposite end of the machine and connected at theother end to a second set of rollers, a carriage in which both said setsof rollers are mounted, and means for reciprocating said carriage, saidsets of rollers being connected in pairs so that the unwinding of eachsupport in one set is caused to wind up a corresponding support in theother set.

24. In a delivery mechanism the combination with means for conveyingsheets from a printing press or the like, of a pair of oppositelyarranged flexible sheet supports, one support being fixed at one end toone end of the machine and connected at the other end to a roller, aroller, and the other supportrbeing fixed at one end to the opposite endof the machine and connected at the other end to a second roller, asecond roller, a carriage in which said rollers are mounted, and meansfor reciprocating said carriage, whereby the sheets received by onesupport are transferred to the other support and discharged.

25. In a delivery mechanism the combination with means for conveyingsheets from a printing press or the like, of a pair of oppositelyarranged flexible sheet supports, one

support being fixed at one end to one end of the machine and connectedat the other end to a roller, and the other support being fixed at oneend to the opposite end of the machine and connected at the other end toa second roller, a carriage in which said rollers are mounted, and meansfor reciprocating said carriage, said rollers being so connected thatthe unwinding of one support is caused to wind up the other.

26. In a delivery mechanism, the combination with means for conveyingsheets from a printing press or the like, of a series of sheet supportsarranged to receive the sheets from the conveyer and to operate inplanes one above another, means for operating the sheet supports so thatthe sheets received at one end of the series are transferred withoutmovement in their planes to the other end thereof and discharged, saidoperating means being so constructed that the sheets as received arekept separated by the supports, and means for receiving the sheets asthey are discharged. 27. In 'a delivery mechanism the combination withmeans for conveying sheets from a printing press or the like of a seriesof expansible and contractible sheet supports arranged to receive thesheets from the con veyer, means for'expanding and contracting saidsupports such that the sheets as received at one end of the series maybe kept in a separated condition and discharged at "the other end of theseries, and means for receiving the sheets as they are discharged.

28. In a dellvery mechanism the combination with means for conveyingsheets from a printing press or the like including a reciprocatingconveyer carriage, of a series of sheet supports arranged to receive thesheets from the conveyer carriage, means whereby the sheet supports maybe either continuously or intermittently operated in unison with theconveyer carriage so that the sheets as received at one end of theseries may be kept in a separated condition and finally discharged atthe other end of the series, and

means for receiving the sheets as they are discharged.

29. In a delivery mechanism the combination with means for conveyingsheets from a printing press or the like including a re clprocatingconveyer carriage, of a pair of opposltely arranged sheet supports, and

means whereby the sheet supports maybe operated in unison with theconveyer carriage either continuously or intermittently so that thesheets'as received by one sup port may be transferred to the other anddischarged.

30. In a delivery mechanism the combination with means for conveyingsheets from p a printing press or the like including a reciprocatingconveyer carriage, of two series of oppositely arranged flexible sheetsup ports, the supports forming one series being fixed at one end to oneend of the machine and connected at the other end to a set of rollers, aseries ofrollers and the supports forming the other series being fixedat one end to the opposite end of the machine and connected at the otherend to a second set of rollers, a second series of rollers, a carriagein which both sets of rollers are mounted, and means whereby saidcarriage may be reciprocated in unison with said conveyer carriageeither continuously or intermittently so that the sheets as received atone end of one series are alternately transferred from one series to theother and advanced from one support to another throughout each seriesand finally discharged, and means for receiving the sheets as they aredischarged.

31. I11 a sheet delivery mechanism, the combination of a series of sheetsupports movable in planes one above another, and means for operatingthe sheet supports so that the sheets received at one end of the seriesare transferred without movement in their planes to the other endthereof and I one'end of the series are transferred without movement intheir planes to the other end thereof and discharged.

'33. In a sheet drier and delivery mechanism, the combination of aseries of expansible and contractible sheet supports, means forexpanding and contracting the supports to cause them to receive sheetsat one end of'the series, transfer them from one end of the series tothe other end thereof, and to discharge the sheets at the latter endthereof.

34:. In a sheet drier and delivery mechanism, the combination of aseries of expansible and contractible sheet supports, and means forexpanding and contracting the supports to cause them to receive sheetsat one end of the series, transfer them from one support to anotherthroughout the series to the other end thereof, and to discharge thesheets at the latter end thereof.

35. In a sheet drier and delivery mechanism, the combination of a seriesof flexible sheet supports, a series of rollers each of said supportsbeing fixed at one end and connected to a roller at the other end, andmeans for operating the rollers so that the sheets received at one endof the series are discharged at the other end thereof.

36. In a sheet drier and delivery mechanism, the combination of a seriesof flexible sheet supports, a series of rollers each of said supportsbeing fixed at one end and connected to a roller at the other end, andmeans for operating the rollers so that the sheets received at one endof the series are transferred from one support to another and dischargedat the other end thereof.

37. In combination, two series of oppositely arranged expansible andcontractible sheet supports, and means for alternately expanding andcontracting said sheet supports so that the sheets received at one endof one series are alternately transferred from one series to the otherand advanced from one support to another throughout each series andfinally discharged.

38. In a sheet manipulating machine, two series of oppositely arrangedflexible sheet supports, the supports forming one series being fixed atone end to one part of the machine and connected at the other end to aset of rollers, a series of rollers, and the supports forming the otherseries being fixed at one end to an opposite part of the machine andconnected at the other end to a second set of rollers, a second seriesof rollers, a carriage in which both sets of rollers are mounted, andmeans for reciprocating said carriage.

39. In a sheet manipulating machine, two series of oppositely arrangedflexible sheet supports, the supports forming one series being fixed atone end to one part of the machine and connected at the other end to aset of rollers, a series of rollers, and the supports forming the otherseries being fixed at one end to an opposite part of the machine andconnected at the other end to a second set of rollers, a second seriesof rollers, a carriage in which both sets of rollers are mounted, andmeans for reciprocating said carriage, said sets of rollers being soconnected that the unwinding of one set of the supports is caused'towind up the other set.

40. In a sheet manipulating machine, two series of oppositely arrangedflexible sheet supports, the supports forming one series being fixed atone end to one part of the machine and connected at the other end to aset of rollers, a series of rollers, and the supports forming the otherseries being fixed at one end to an opposite part of the machine andconnected at the other end to a second set of rollers, a second seriesof rollers, a carriage in which both sets of rollers are mounted, andmeans for reciprocating said carriage, said sets of rollers beingconnected in pairs so that the unwindin of each support in one set iscaused to win up a corresponding support in the other set.

41. In a sheet manipulating machine, a pair of flexible sheet supports,one support being fixed at one end to one part of the machine andconnected at the other end to a roller, a roller and the other supportbeing fixed at one end to an opposite part of the machine and connectedat the other end to a second roller, a second roller, a carriage inwhich said rollerscare mounted, and means for reciprocating saidcarriage.

42. In a sheet manipulating machine, a pair of flexible sheet supports,one support being fixed at one end to one part of the machine andconnected at the other end to a roller, a roller, and the other supportbeing fixed at one end to an opposite part of the machine and connectedat the other end to a second roller, a second roller, a carriage inwhich said rollers are mounted, and means for reciprocating saidcarriage, said rollers being so connected that the unwindin of eachsupport is caused to wind up the ot ier.

43. In a sheet manipulating machine, a pair of flexible sheet supports,one support being fixed at one end to one part of the machine andconnected at the other end to a roller, a roller, and the other supportbeing fixed at one end to an opposite part of the machine and connectedat the other end to a second roller, a second roller, a carriage inwhich said rollers are mounted, and means for reciprocating saidcarriage, said rollers being connected by a ligament attached at itsopposite ends to the rollers so that the unwinding of each support iscaused to wind up the other.

44. In a sheet manipulating machine, a

- the machine and connected at the other end to a second roller, asecond roller, a carriage in which said rollers are mounted, and meansfor reciprocating said carriage, said rollers being provided withreversely arranged winding cones to the larger ends of which theopposite ends of a ligament are attached, whereby the unwinding of eachsupport is caused to wind up the other and keep it at a substantiallyuniform tension throughout the stroke of the carriage.

45. In a delivery mechanism, the combination with means for conveyingsheets from a printing press or the like, of a series of sheet supportsarranged to receive the sheets from the conveyer, means for operatingthe sheet supports so that the sheets as received at one end of theseries are kept separated and transferred in a direction at right anglesto their planes and without movement in those planes to the other endsand discharged, a table for receiving the sheets as they are discharged,and means for automatically lowering said table as the pile increasesthereon.

46. In a delivery mechanism, the combination with means for conveyingsheets from a printing press or the like, of a series of sheet supportsarranged to receive the sheets from the conveyer, means for. operatingthe sheet supports so that the sheets as received at one end of theseries are kept separated and transferred in a direction at right anglesto their planes and without movement in those planes to the other endsand discharged, a table for receiving the sheets as they are discharged,means for automatically lowering said table as the pile increasesthereon, and means for adjusting the sheets upon the pile as they aredeposited thereon.

47. In a delivery mechanism, the combination with means for conveyingsheets from a printing press or the like, of a series of sheet supportsarranged to receive the sheets from the conveyer, means for operatingthe sheet supports so that the sheets as received at one end of theseries are kept separated and transferred in a direction at right anglesto their planes and without movement in those planes to the other endsand discharged, a table for receiving the sheets as they are discharged,and means for maintaining a predetermined relation between the sheetsduring their passage through the machine.

48. In a delivery mechanism, the combination with means for conveyingsheets from a printing press or the like, of a series of sheet supportsarranged to receive the sheets from the conveyer, means for operatingthe sheet supports so that the sheets as received at one end of theseries are keptseparated and transferred in a direction at right anglesto their planes and without movement in those planes to the other endsand discharged, a table for receiving the sheets as they are discharged,guides for determining the positions of the forward edges of the sheetsupon the supports, and a fixed guide in substantial alinement with saidguides for fixing the position of the sheets on the table.

49. In a delivery mechanism, the combi nation with means for conveyingsheets from a printing press or the like, of a series of sheet supportsarranged to receive the sheets from the conveyer, means for operatingthe sheet supports so that the sheets as received at one end of theseries are kept separated and transferred in a direction at right anglesto their planes and without movement in those planes to the other endsand discharged, a table for receiving the sheets as they are discharged,means for automatically lowering said table as the pile increasesthereon, guides for determining the positions of the forward edges ofthe sheets upon the supports, a fixed guide in substantial alinementwith said guides for fixing the position of the sheets upon the pile,and means independent of the table for adjusting the sheets against saidfixed guide as they are deposited upon the pile, substantially asdescribed.

50. In combination with a suitable frame, of a reciprocating member, acarriage, detachable connections between said parts comprising ashiftable member carried by said carriage, a'cont'act member located atone end of the stroke of said reciprocating member, and means forintermittently operating said contact member to cause said shiftablemember to be engaged with or disengaged from said reciprocating member.

51. In combination with a suitable frame, of a reciprocating member, acarriage, detachable connections between said parts comprising ashiftable member carried by said carriage and means on the reciprocatingmember adapted to cooperate with the shiftable member, a contact memberlocated at one end of the stroke of said reciprocating member, and meansfor intermittently operating said contact member to cause said shiftablemember to be engaged with or disengaged from said reciprocating member,said shiftable member being constructed to lock the carriage to theframe when it is disconnected from the reciprocating member,substantially as described.

52. In a delivery mechanism the combination with means for conveyingsheets from a printing press or the like, of a reciprocating carriage, apair of rollers mounted in said carriage, means for directing the sheetsinto the bight of said rollers when the carriage is at the rearwardlimit of its stroke, means for giving said rollers a partial revolutionat the beginning of the forward stroke of the carriage to nip the sheet,and means to separate said rollers on the rearward stroke of thecarriage.

53. In a delivery mechanism, the combination with a suitable frame, acarriage movably mounted on said frame, a larger pinion journaled onsaid carriage, a smaller pinion mounted on the same axis with saidlarger pinion, a fixed rack meshing with said larger pinion, a movablerack meshing with said smaller pinion, said racks being located on thesame side of the axis of said pinions, and means for reciprocating saidmovable rack comprising an oscillating gear or segment and a crankdirectly connected with said gear or segment.

"54:. In a delivery mechanism, the combination with means for conveyingsheets from a printing press or the like, of a series of sheet supportsarranged to receive the sheets from the conveyer and to operate inplanes one above another, means whereby the sheets received at one endof the series of supports are transferred to the other end thereof anddischarged, and means for receiving the sheets as they are discharged.

55. In a delivery mechanism, the combination with means for conveyingsheets from a printing press or the like, of a series of sheet supportsarranged to receive the sheets from the conveyer and to operate inplanes one above another, means whereby the sheets received at one endof the series of supports are transferred to the other end thereof by amovement other than a movement in the planes of the sheets, and meansfor receiving the sheets as they are discharged.

56. In a delivery mechanism, the combination with means for conveyingsheets from a printing press or the like, of a series of sheet supportsarranged to receive the sheets from the conveyer and to operate inplanes one above another, means whereby the sheets received at one endof the series of supports are transferred in a direction transverse totheir planes to the other end of the series and discharged, and meansfor receiving the sheets as they are discharged.

57. In a sheet delivery apparatus, the

combination of a reciprocating carriage, two curtains, each having aterminal supported by the carriage, one of said curtains having itsother terminal secured to one side of and independent of the carriageand the other curtain having its corresponding terminal secured to theopposite side of and independent of the carriage, and mechanism to Windup one curtain and correspondingly unwind the other on the reciprocationof the carriage, said curtains arranged to deliver a sheet from thecurtain which is being wound up onto the curtain which is being unwound.

58. In a sheet delivery apparatus, the combination of two sets ofcurtains, a support for one terminal of each curtain of one set, asupport for one terminal of each curtain of the other set, and meansoperative between said supports for winding up one set of curtains andcorrespondingly unwinding the other set, said winding mechanismoperative to deliver a sheet alternately from a curtain of one set to acurtain of the other set.

59. In a sheet delivery apparatus, the combination of two opposedanchorages, two curtains each having a terminal attached to a respectiveanchorage, and mechanism operative between the anchorages alternately towind-up one curtain and unwind the other to deliver a sheet from onecurtain to the other.

60. A sheet delivery mechanism having in combination rolling andunrolling sheet carriers one of said carriers in its rolling do liveringthe sheet to the other carrier, and means for rolling and unrolling saidear-- riers.

61. A sheet delivery mechanism comprising a pair of oppositely arrangedrolling and unrolling sheet carriers, one of said carriers in itsrolling delivering the sheet to the other carrier, and means rolling andunrolling said carriers.

Signed at New York in the county of New York and State of New York this27th day of September, A. D. 1901.

RUFUS A. FREEMAN.

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

